Duncan Road and Gordon Downs Road

A Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony was held by traditional Jaru owners at Sturt Creek on 15 July 2020. The event was attended by representatives of the Shire of Halls Creek, Yaruman (Ringer Soak) Community and Main Roads and the project construction team.

The Shire of Halls Creek and other local contractors have made good progress towards completing critical sections this year. Upgrades to sections of Duncan and Gordon Downs Roads will improve accessibility during future wet seasons. Works completed as at the end of 2020 include:

• raising, widening and gravel sheeting of the road formation on black soil plains;
• installation of pipe and box culverts at various locations including some major creeks;
• construction and sealing of cement stabilised floodways, including the 3.2km Sturt Creek crossing floodway; and
• installation of grids and sealing the approaches 

Environment and Heritage approvals are being staged to accommodate the priority sections for 2019/20. A Clearing Permit has been approved by DWER.

A Heritage Protection Agreement is in place between Main Roads and Jaru Traditional Owners. This allows Main Roads to undertake Aboriginal heritage surveys with Jaru in early December 2020. A separate agreement will be entered into with Koongie-Elvire in 2021. Working closely with Traditional Owners, Main Roads will ensure works will not impact on heritage sites.

Work completed in 2020 will result in fewer road closures over the wet season, particularly the Sturt Creek crossing, which can close for several months when the creek is flowing.

In early 2021, work will start on upgrades to Gordon Downs Road and improvements to a major jump-up on Duncan Road. The water bore drilling program will also be completed.

In late 2021, focus will shift to the safety upgrades on Duncan Road. Work will start at the Gordon Downs Road intersection through the first two ‘hill’ sections.

• Improve road safety
• Improve efficiency of freight movements
• Reduce need for road closures during wet periods
• Improve access to critical services and employment across the broader Kimberley region for remote and Aboriginal communities

Funding

$51 million ($40.8m Australian Government, $10.1m State Government)

Find out More

• Project Update - November 2020 - PDF (929 KB)
• Project Update - Shire of Halls Creek